Industrial Relations in Europe 2004

[Excerpt] Large-scale changes caused by globalisation are making industrial relations more, rather than less important in Europe, according to a new European Commission report. This report highlights a growing trend towards company level negotiations, with workers\u27 principal concern being job security, rather than short term financial gain

EFSA CEF Panel (EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids), 2013. Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 216, Revision 1 (FGE.216Rev1). Consideration of genotoxic potential for α,β-unsaturated 2-Phenyl -2-Alkenals from Subgroup 3.3 of FGE.19

The Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids of the European Food Safety Authority was requested to evaluate the genotoxic potential of five flavouring substances from subgroup 3.3 of FGE.19. In the Flavouring Group Evaluation 216 (FGE.216) additional genotoxicity data were requested. Additional genotoxicity studies have now been provided for the representative substance 2-phenylcrotonaldehyde [FL-no: 05.062]. Based on these new data the Panel concluded that the concern for genotoxicity could not be ruled out and requests a proof of sufficient systemic exposure of animals treated with 2-phenylcrotonaldehyde. Moreover, since the substance was genotoxic only without metabolic activation, it appears necessary to prove the absence of genotoxic effect locally in the gastro intestinal system using the Comet assay

EC Competition Law and Member State Courts

The main purpose of this paper is to critically analyze the “Notice on cooperation between national courts and the Commission in applying Articles 85 and 86 of the EEC Treaty” (the “Notice”), which the Commission of the European Community (the “Commission”) published in 1993. Among the topics covered by the Notice the following deserve a closer analysis: the Commission\u27s enforcement policy, the Commission\u27s views on the application of Articles 85 and 86 by national courts, and the cooperation between national courts and the Commission

Equal Rights in Practice: Key Voices 2004

[Excerpt] We have thus chosen to focus this year on the critical factors and actors in the enforcement of the anti-discrimination Directives emanating from Article 13 of the Amsterdam Treaty on “Race” and “Equal treatment in the workplace” This collection of independent opinions, bringing together views from stakeholders ranging from National Authorities, NGOs, specialised bodies and experts in the field, provides a vivid testimony to the processes which are leading law and policy makers from paper to practice; from the written legislation, through to the day-today realities of changing attitudes and practices throughout European societies

The “Standard” Administrative Procedure for Supervising and Enforcing EC Law: EC Treaty Articles 226 and 228

Ibanez examines the European Commission\u27s policy and strategy in enforcement proceedings and attempts to discover the predominant European model, if such a model exists, for enforcing and supervising EC law. Ibanez focuses on some general difficulties in analyzing supervision and enforcement at the European level and the problem of implementation in more general terms

Financing social and cohesion policy in an enlarged EU: plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose?

The development of the Open Method of Coordination, agreement on the Lisbon Agenda and EU enlargement offered the prospect of a new and substantial EU social policy agenda. This article considers EU social and cohesion policies in the context of the recent negotiation of the EU budget for 2007—13. We find the Commission's wish to redistribute EU spending in favour of these policy areas and new member states was thwarted by key political features of EU budget making: CAP spending levels which are downwardly sticky; institutional arrangements which provide for budget making as, at best, a zero-sum game; and the preferences of contributor member states in the EU-15 to contain overall spending while preserving their net budget positions. Questions are thus raised as to the ability of the EU to make any progress, from a budgetary perspective, on the social and cohesion policy agenda in an enlarged EU

Digital switchover in Europe

This article discusses the political, economic, technological and human aspects of the digital switchover in Europe and explores various policies for managing the process. The article first examines the advantages and drawbacks of digital switchover, and identifies a number of challenges and policy dilemmas of making switchover an achievable objective. It goes on to look at digital television adoption across Europe and assesses the effectiveness of free-to-air digital television to accelerate take-up. Finally, the article examines EU initiatives as well as national plans in digital switchover and proposes various measures for encouraging the take-up of digital services and therefore bringing forward the likely idea of analogue switch-off

Scottish ferry policy and the Commission decision

This article is an update of an earlier review of Scottish ferry policy in this Commentary last year 1 (hence “Fraser Commentary Feb 09”) in the light of the outcome of the European Commission investigation into alleged State aid for Scottish ferries. The European Commission announced their investigation2 into alleged State aid for Scottish ferry services in May 2008 (hence “EC May 08”) and their final Decision3 was published October 2009 (hence EC Oct 09). This update is intended to be read in conjunction with Fraser Commentary Feb 09 to minimise repetition of facts and arguments set out in that earlier article

Overcoming barriers to the implementation of alternative fuels for road transport in Europe.

The success of implementing alternative fuels for road transport depends on their cost, performance and reliability. This paper focuses on the use of natural gas and LPG, hydrogen and biofuels in Europe. A brief presentation is given of their technical development status, their market potential, and barriers to their implementation in various market segments. Some market barriers are common to many new technologies, and can be overcome through adequate policy measures at European level. Generally, a combination of policies is required, and a number of supporting measures increase their effectiveness. The following policies affecting energy use in transport are discussed: market incentives, policies targeting technology and vehicle efficiency, and overall system improvement

Donor Capacity Development Innovation: The European Commission

This brief documents the European Commission's new approach to capacity development. European development assistance aims to develop capacity and produce sustainable results, in line with the European Commission (EC) commitment to the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and the Accra Agenda for Action. This is reflected in its approach to capacity development (CD) which: (i) recognizes the fundamental importance of local ownership of CD processes, (ii) encourages co-ordination of CD support by different donors, and (iii) seeks to provide adequate quality assurance. All CD processes supported by the EC are to be designed, managed and monitored with local partners in the lead to ensure that they are demand-driven and contextually appropriate